Fender shield latching mechanism



Aug. 19, 1952 G. w. scHATzMAN 2,607,612

FENDER SHIELD LATCHING MECHANISM 5 ShetS-Sheeli 3 Filed Aug. 19, 1947Patented Aug. 19, 1952 FENDER SHIELD LA'roHING MEcHANIsM George W.Schatzman, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Houdalle-Hershey Corporation,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Detroit,

Application August 19, 194117, Serial No. 769,503

This invention relates to improvements in fender shields or skirts, andmore particularly concerns novel latching mechanism by which fendershields are adapted to be held in place on the fenders with whichassociated.

In the vehicle industry, and particularly in the automobile industry,various means have been utilized to improve the appearance of vehiclefenders. The usual vehicle fender is provided with an opening affordingaccess to the vehicle Wheel and permitting ready removal or replacementof the wheel in an axial direction. Since this opening inherentlypresents an unattractive outward appearance, detachable fender shieldshave been employed to cover the opening ornamentally.

As the term fender shield shall hereinafter be employed, it refers toany member which is adapted to be secured to a fender or other portionof a vehicle body for the purpose of cover lng the opening in the fenderor vehicle body provided for access to or removal of a vehicle wheel.Furthermore, as the term fender shall hereinafter be employed, it refersto any form of wheel fender in its broad sense, whether such fender beseparated from the vehicle body, partly separated from the vehicle body,or actually an integral part of the vehicle body, and whether or not itprojects outwardly from the principal body portion of the vehicle.

An important object of the present invention is 19 claims. (c1.i28o-153)l Figure 1 is a fragmentary outside elevational view of a fenderand fender shield assembly embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary inside ele- 5 vational view of thefender and fender shield as- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevationalview, n

similar to Fig. 2, but showing another somewhat modified fender shieldlatching mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional detail-view takensubstantially on the line VI--VI of Fig.

taken substantially on line XI-XI;. and

to provide novel means for latching a fender shield or skirt in positionon a fender.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fender shield havingimproved latching Ymechamsm.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fendershield latching mechanism adapted to be manipulated by a conventionalWheel wrench.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a fender shieldlatching mechanism having a rotary latch rod and latch rod controlmeans.

Yet another object of-the invention is to provide an improved fendershield latching mechanismv which is simple and efficient in operationand involves but a small number of inexpensive, low-cost, rugged partssusceptible of economical massproduction methods of manufacture andassembly. Y

AOther objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from thefollowing detailed description of certainpreferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction in which:

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail View takensubstantially on the line VII-VII of Fig. 5, and showing a'wrenchapplied for actuating the mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a' horizontal sectional detail view taken substantially on theline VIII- VIII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary inside elevational view of a still furthermodified form of latching mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional detail View taken substantially von theline X-X of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is. a horizontal sectional detail View Fig. 12 is a fragmentaryelevational View taken as though looking in the direction of the arrowsof the section line XII-XII of Fig. 10.

Having reference to Fig. 1, a fender I5 has a wheel access opening I6which is normally closed by a fender shield l'I, sometimes also referredto as afender skirt, which is held in place in the opening I6 by anysuitable means located at the ends of the fender shield andinterengageable with the fender, or means carried by the fender andinterengageable by appropriate means at the end of the fender shield,and of such a character that the fender shield can be convenientlymounted on the fender or removed as desired.

Herein the fender shield I'I is of the type which is adapted to bemounted initially and primarily at its ends, that is, the ends of thefender shield are rst'placed in association with the fender I5 at theopening I6 and theprincipal load or weight of the fender shield issustained by the interconnections eifective at the ends of the fendershield. Then, as a nal maneuver in mounting the fender shield, alatching mechanism, herein generally identified by the numeral I8 (Fig.2), and preferably carried at the inside 'central poropening I6 andreceptive of a marginal inturne'd angular ange on thefendercshieldi'lhantt carrying a cushioning gasket 2l which fitsvagainst, at least the downwardly projecting-"leger the angular flangeI9. In assembly, the VgaslietZpIfis squeezed or compressed between theAfenderiange I9 and the fender shield flangezlitonnaintana rattle-freerelationship between the fenderrshield4 and the fender. Y y

According to the present invention, the latching mechanism I scomprisesarrotary latch-membeninlthe form-'cifra rodwhich is rotatably andreciprocab'ly' supported by means including-'a' vertical" strut 23."prc-if'erably7 mounted centrally of the 'fender'shieldl inraVertical'positionfbetwe'enthe upp'enmargin Yof the fender shielilat th'ereinforcing flange Ztrand'thel'lowermarginlof` the fender shield above ahorizontal inwardiy projectingreinforcingflangedz At its .upperr end',Athe strut 23 hasa'n inturned endilang e125 which .engages'wit-hinthe'reentr ant corner. provided at the'innerangularmargin of thefendershield top reinforcingiangel 'At its lowerl end 'strut23"'h'a's"an inturnedf'f'oot flange" Z'Iwhichds` arranged to :belsecured fto"v the loweriender shield' reinforcing-'harige *24 'as bymeans of rivets 28, a reinforcingbarZS being 'in terposedbetweentheanges.

"rhe construction arangement are such that lthellatch rod '22isadaptedtobereciprocably and rotatablymoved relativeto th-e: fenderlshield II into andoutof latching-position,' as 'required in themountinganrremoval"ofthe'ffender'shield. To this endj', thelatclrrodi'ZZis 4preferably lvformed from "cylindrical rodmateri'al vsuchyf'orexample, as Vmaybe Asuppliedrtotlre trade vas heavy'gauge Wire .orrodstock, a stock ofapproximately inch diameter having':been found'quite satisfactory in practice. A

Eccentrieallydisposed"atlthe'uppertend ofthe straight :body 'gportionwhich Kconstitutes the maior length ofthe'rod22`,"is;a=latchingi-head130 which is acapted:todae'swung1 onfan arc`about the axis. of thebodylofthe rod into lat'cliingand'nonlatchingpositions. through lthe mediumsof a suitablewrench, suchY'as' a conventional wheel wrench, appliedfto `aiwrench;engageable basestructure .such asa' nut or'bolt headfl'lf'carrie'd by the lower end 'ofthe rod. 4Th-ez'wrench base-3i is preferably'fixedly secured vto l'the=rod Vas by means of a-pin 32. For conveni'ent-"access^by means Yofthe-manipulatingf wrench,fthe wrench base13Iis 'disposed conveniently'-below`the lower reinforcing" ange Y-2'l!"of t-lief'en'der shield,where it isjread'ily'acoessibla A rotary and-reciprocable bearing isprovided fcn'theirodA 22 adjacent its lower end `andi-above1th'e^wrench^base 31| within an" inwardly opening slot' 33 vformed4inthev lower'-edgefl-'angeT211'Avr on the 'fender shield' andthesuperimposed f reinforcing 'bar'29fthe foot angeeiFI beinglsimilarly;notched; Means for retaining vthe rod-22' sldably within the'bearing notch 33 comprises a, retainer' plate 3l which' isinterposedbetween the foot'iiange 21 `-`a'nd"tl"1e reinforcing bar 2'9" and -hasa:rod clear,- ing'slot 35 'opening outwardly, Ithat'is inf'reVerseinstance from suitable sheet metal. 'ing eye 38 is preferably formedwith a down "turnedbearinglange 39 about the eye aperture thereinrforsmooth bearing engagement with the hnod:` .'Thebearingeye 38 ispreferably located at .anreleva'tion suchthat in the non-latching orYopen condition of the latching mechanism, the

to the slot 33, while a reinforcing keeper ange 3'I at the inner edge ofthe plate 34 extends upwardly parallel to the rod 22 and retains the rodin the bearing slot 33.

Adjacent to the latching head 3i), the rod 22 is reciprocably androtatably,l guided by a. bearing eye=38 struck vfout-'inwardlyfromthedoody of the strut 23', the strut being formed'in the present Thebearlatch'zrodJwill::befsupported with the head 3d belowtheupper edge ofythe fender shield i1, that is, in a position to clear .the fender angeI9 in swinging the fender shield into and out of mounted position; Asshown' inthe-dash position o'fFigf'Z, -a shoulder deformed by'lanintegral connecting --bend at' the 'base' V-of'- -the eccentricylatching head I30 Aengagesl Aupon Vthe -eye y nange 38 in thenon-latchingiposition" of* the latch rod.

In -latchingv position; `thelatch -head -33 is raised 'f by upwardireciprocable'- movement of the latch "rod 22V until theshoulder 1mf-atthe baseof the Yhead clears an inwardly protruding horizontalshoulder 4I fformed'iinfthe strut1 l3 and from which lthe'upperportiony ofthest'rut extends forwardly and thence upwardly 'toward the-upper edgeflange-v 215; VIn this posit-ion, the 'latching head r3l) 4uponbeing-"swung, "full outwardly as shown in VFig; 3 vengages'with theinner side ofthc fender reinforcing flange I9 in such a manner -astodra-w -theffender shield flange 210 'clampingly toward 'thedownwardly"extending-*'leg Aof the flange jHl'to compress thegasketfltherebetween. To assist in-'thisclavmpiingy relationship,- the -upperextremity'of the head 3!)A is preferably formed with' acamportionc'd?which#extends on an'arc relative-to-` theupperportion-oftheihead, as--seen in -Fig. '3i :In this conditionJheshoulder-:fillA of the latch'ro'dA opposesthe shoulder 4f I ofthe strutandt-herod is thereby held against-A downward f reciprocable movementout ofv the latching engagement=-with the vfenderiiange I"9. It willthus be 'seen that in order to release the fender shield, the llatchingheadr30 must be `swung by rotationv of the -rod Z-Z'approx-imately r90degrees teclear 1thef'headria-IJ relativeto the strutshoulder 4 lwhereupon'thefrod :22" can drop'to't'he inactive position asshown indashoutline'in Fig. 2.

Means-are'providedfor holding the latch'rodV 22 against turning out ofthe latching position. Hereinl such means 'comprises la spring catchstructure 543 which, asbestseeninFigs. 3'vandf4, comprises a stripspring metal member which has a base flange 44 bearing against the innerside. of the upwardly extending` portion of the strut'123 abovetheishould'erf formation-llll and to whichthefbase flange'is secured -asbyI means of a rivet 35; .To .hold the spring. vclipv member .43againsttrotation out'. of the'operativef position, the extremity ofthelbase .iiange-M is formed with la right'zangularlyl 'outturnediangeT41 `which yextends-through a; vertical slot. 48 provided for thispurpose 'i'n the1strutz3. vBy preference afpairof the slots 48 is formedin spaced parallel relation rod' 22, an'out turned keeper half loop"50'being formed at the extremityv 'of the flange 49 for yieldably engagingthe upwardly extendingfpor.- tion o f the head 39 betweentheshoulder`4||and the cam portion .42 thereof. The"opposite side ofthekeeper loop 0 is formed' withacam flange 5 which is appropriatelyobliquelyforrned and of agood length'so that the 'latch rodhead'j-30-can be cammed into fthe, keeper loop 59 fror'nj either side asthe head Vis swung in the rotation ofl the rod 22; It will be clear, ofcourse, that the head 30 can be camrned intothe keeper loop l5l)vslightly easier from theouter flange 5| side thereof than from theflange 49 side thereof since greater lev' erage for flexing the flange49 is r prevalent at the cam flangev 5| end.v 1t will thus be apparentthat oncev the head 30 has been engaged within the cradle provided bythe keeper loop '59 vof theoatch springclip 43, the latch rod 22 Will beheld/ effectviely against unintentional vrotation Voutvoi its latchingposition. This, together withtheretem tion of thelatchrod 22 againstdropping'down out of latching position as afforded bythe opposition ofthe" strut shoulder f4| `"to the latchf'rod shoulder 40 maintainsthe-latch rod effectively against openingexcept 'when itisintentionallyturned to the4 open or non--latchingv position through manipulation ofthe wrench oase 3 For this purpose, of course, 'the'junctures oftheflanges-49 and 5|, respectively, with the rod-.head 1 engaging-keeperloop are rounded so that head 30 will cam thereby upony the applicationof sufficient manual rotary force tothe latch-red 22 to swing the head30 toward the non-latching position. V' i y The strut 23 is preferablyyreinforced atits longitudinal edges by means of'lfintegral out turnedflangesy 52.

'As Shown inrigs. 5to-, inclusive', a modified fender shield latchingmechanism 55 is provided .which maybe substituted'where preferred, for

the latching mechanism I8 previously described.`

Accordingly, the fender and fender shield structures may be identicalas' to those inthe first .6 inwardly-v turned flange 10 which cooperateswith the fendershieldupper marginal flange'720 'in connecting 4thejstrutand the 'fender shield together ,andr in* drawing the fender shield 20clamping'ly toward the fenderflange I9 inthe operation of the latch rod51. `-Vertically reciprocal and rotary guidance forthe latch rod 51 'isprovided `by an out turned integral bearing ear Vor eye 1| formed on theupper portion of the' strutV 58 below the shoulder 69 and formed with abear-v ing eye defined by a down turned annular flange 12. At its lowerend the rod 51 isbearingly guided within a slot 13 formed in theinneredge vof the reinforcing bar 29 and the supporting lower fender shieldreinforcing flange 24,l the rod being held bearingly in the slot 13bythe foot flange 65 which, for this purpose, is provided with anoutwardly opening complementary-retainer slot 14 so that the inner edgeof such retainer slot opposes the rod and holds itin the bearing slot13.

Clearance for the upperl portion of the latch rod 51 to project upwardlybeyond the shoulder portion 69 of the strut -is afforded by a slot 15which cuts through the juncture of the shoulder 69 ywith the verticalbody portio'nof the strutand' ex-- tends down to the eye 1|, being inpartformed by.v the'striking out of the material forming the eye 1|. Theupper extent of the clearance slot 151s such as to aifordample clearancefor the rod '51 projecting upwardly therethrough'- In the non-active oropen condition of the latch f rod 51, the head 59 is turned Vinwardlyand-is re'- and reciprocablefla'tch rod 51 vandsupporting a mechanism`'therefor including a strut l58. Throughout the major portionfof itslength the latch-'rod 51is straight and cylindrical-and'at itsupper-Tend the l latch rod is-formed with "an eccentricallyAv disposedAlatching head* 59 formed with an offllsetti'ng shoulder v6!) andanarcuat'e camhead terminal "9|, the latter beingengageable with thefender'iange I9 in the latching positionof thevlatch rod, and operativeIsubstantially like the latch rod v22 previously described.` -At itslower end,'the latch'rod 5-1 has a Wrench base member' 62 which may behexagonal Vas shown and adapted to beengage'd by'a wrench 63to turn thelatch'rod 51. A pin 64 may 'be provided forl securely anduflxedlyfastening the wrench base member 62 onto the lower portion offtlierod51. Thefstrut '59 is preferably of such'fforrn that it can convenientlybe made fromrsheet metal4 byf a simpledie stamping process and includesa yfoot iiange "which --inl thisA instance extends 4outwardly and restsupon the reinforcing bar 29 to whichY i'tis secured as-bymeansf ofrivets 61.

Thel's'id'e -edges of .tlief'strut arefpreferably formedWith-'reinforcing'iiianges 68. `'At'its upper end the der 6 0 of thehead lies above" the opposing'up' wardlyfacing shoulder 69 of the strutandthe rod is thereby held against-"unintentional defpression orslidingfdownwardly out of clamping engagement with the fender ange' i9]Thev Width of the slot 15, an'dfpart'icularly the portion of the slotwhich cuts'through the shoul-v der portion |59v of the strut is suchthat the head 59 cannot clear' the slot and depress the rod 51 until therod has been. turned a full 180 degrees from the latching position. WhentheV rod 5 1 to beV returned to the latching position, on the otherhand, it cannot be turned around to the latching position until it hasbeen sufficiently elevated by pushing up ontheflower end thereof toclear thehead 59 from the slot 15;

Means are provided for holding` thejrod 51 against accidental rotationout'of latching'position. Herein such means comprise a spring catchstructure engageablev with an'eccentricallyf disposed portion of thelatch rod assembly,` herein including a detent bar 11 and Va biasingspring 18. vThe detent bar 1 1 is of lsubstantial length superlmppsed.foot; flange lllr4 reinforcing har. V2li. andjlowen marginal reinforcingflange.. 2L

Y At :ifosf-lmrveiend,Y the detentbar 1.1 is. arranged to?V engage iwanupwardly opening .notch.82. formed: in thevrnpperssidefof the .wrenchhead. zfsof-thatwhen the'lower end.. of, the detent bar. is.in suchnotch the -wrench'head vBIL is. held against rotation thereby holdingthe rod 5-1 againstfrotation. The location of the. notch 82 istthatthe.- detent .J1 j engages therein only in, the fulllatchingposition of the` latch rod.

,{Ijfhefconstruction and. arrangement.- ofl the detent bar Il is? such,that when-thel wrench v63 is applied :tothe wrench base. 62, lthe,lower end of thef.rod is engagdby the'fwrench headV and the; barispushed upwardly out of the-,detent slotv 82.-,in the-wrench base.Alimit upon thev rec-:ep` tion .of the 'l wrench base 62 into the socketof thewrench Ahead is .effected vloy providing a Alirnit washeriorflangev B3 .which-.is of at least ther-.diameter of the circle`described by *the corners `of thefwrenchabase 162-1 and Vis secured asby `welding or the.v like tothe upper side-ofthe wrench base. Betweenthe washery83 and the lower fender, shie1d,.reinforcingflange 24 ispreferably inter'- posedra spacer washer 84'. In order that .the4detentpbar '11 will -clearythe-flimit iiangef,v the portion. ofthel `barwhich engages -the wrench base is formed with..a'diagonalicam-surfaceA85 which is of suchv pitch -asto1-extend-into camming'enga-gement with'arr-edgevof; a radial notch notch- 8l, the-limit flangev 83'ispressedfup-tof form 1a stop engageable with'- theV side -ofthev detentVbar 11 when the latch rod 51 is turned backto latchingA position Vandthe end' of thelatch -rod is in registry Vwith the' notches: 8l and.

82.. Thus, the stop v138. prevents overturning. of the latch rod. AstheY wrench 63 is then drawn away from the -wrench head 62, the 'detentbar 1.1 drops :down-into the detent notch 82.

Although .gravity could be. relied upon for actuating the detentbar'Hand causing-it to.

drop into the. detentl notches 82-B1, it isf-preferred to bias the` sameby means ofthe-.spring 1.8. so. thatv foreignA matter, suchV as may besplashed ontothemechanism from the adjacent wheel of.v the vehicle, willnotv interfere `with proper operationofthedetent. `4In. thepresentinstance, the biasingy spring -18' isinthefforln.vofarectangularfloop as bestiseen in. Fig. 8, -.hav

ingthe ends .thereofcoiledzabout-a-piny 89 lcar-- ried by thefstrutu.,`the* extremitiesof the end:

portionsoffthe spring extending in parallelism through an aperture 90in. the adjacent side ange68fof-the strut. The pin 89v is preferablyformed withanintegral Y.collar Sl from which extends a rivet head`portion 92 bywhichthe'.

pin` is secured -to the Wall-.of thestrfut` 58 atl an appropriate pointvron the opposite side ofthe latch rod ilfrom the detentbar -11 j theAWidth of the legs. of the.vv spring' 1.81 being such as-tov freelystraddlethe .-latch'rod 51, Thevclosedloop. end.;portion of thefspringg'lfisV engaged within an: appropriate slot. 93 formed in r'the-.upperend.r

portion ofthe detentzhar .11 .atsuchheight rela-A tiye tothejelevation.fvthepinSS of the vspring toflmaintain the 'l spring..under torsion. load, in theslot..

the. further modification 'shown in. Figs. '9 to ,12, the ifender.andfender Yshield are, of sub-v stantially 'thef same character ,asinthe previous two forms'of the invention described, and' there.- fore;vsimilar referencey nurneralswill be to designate similar parts...H'.However, Vvwhile.. Vthere is some-similarity, between lthe -latohingmecha.Y nism, .identied .generally a't194, andthe. latching, mechanismvof Fig,d 5., there. arecertain. differences.whichunder. certainVcircumstances. may prove more desirable. l i K As the` principal elementYof thelatchingmechf anism.94;.a rotatable and reciprocable latch. rodwis, provided whichis reciprocably .and rotat ably bearingly guidedfbyastrut. plate 91- `andthe lower. marginal reinforcing. flange4 24.and there.-v inforcing` bari 29..of; thefender shield.. To A.this end,the reinforcing -bar andfthe supporting .lower fendershieldflangeu are:formed. with an out? wardly. opening bearing. vslot 9B reciprocably androtatably',receivingL lthe lower end portionof the latch/rod 9.5; and-vtheflower end` .portion ofthe. strutmember 91 isformedu with afootflange.

Sil-having .anj outwardlyopening, slot 4.00.clear-- ingy they rody 95andservingto. retainY they rodin the .bearing slot; .98. The ,foot ange.-99- isv sup-4 ported. .upon the .reinforcing ybar 29. and issecuredtothe bar-:and .to .thelowerI4 marginal iene derflange24jay..-rivets-.llll-.-l Y

'Ihe,strut...i'|` extendsupwardly parallelY tothe rod 95 through anintegral outwardly extending. bearing -eyeJZf Awhichis-.formed with anappropriate aperture defined by downturnedy bearing. flange |133 throughwhich the upperportion of. the latch rod 95-extendsfinreciprocablefandrotatable-bearing relation. rAbove-the eye=|02v an outwardly oblique shoulder portion |04. onf the strut andformed. witha; clearance slot# |05 through whichfthe. latch rod extends.'The-extremity of the-strut is "formed withA anY r inwardly and upwardlyextending extremity flange "i011 whichv iitswithin the` angular' 'uppermarginal ange of the-,fenderyshield-.andfcooperates-with theisame'forIclampingly drawing the/ same to;- Ward thefender reinforcing 'flange I9inresponse to 'ciamping action-fof aclamping` head Illa-onthe upper. end,-of. the-latchl rod A95'.` The` extremityof the lhead :I 08 is-l formedwithanup wardly': curved.- cam portion. 1|109V which engages. theiiangeI9. `Inthernoni-operating .or release position thereof, thelatchrod.95..is turned .so thatl the head: Ulli.` clears the slotl05` andas.-V

sumesfthefinwardly turned position zas indicated the rotationalmovement-.stof '.theylatchffrodfe;

Hereinv such meansr comprise a cam "guide-meme ber- I` 3cooperative-withl a follower pin. I Mirar--` ried. by the-latch rod, forcontrolling'-thenerticalzl .moveinents'of tlie latch rod, and acatchassembly, including a catch barrel I| and a .cooperatingkeeper spring||1.' I Y Y The camlguide member I I3 comprises an arcuate plate` havingend flanges IIS extending in opposite directions in the same plane andsecured to the outer face of the strut 91 in any suitable manner asbymeans of welding. A cam slot ||9 insthe member'IIBis disposed in anoblique direction at one side of the member I I3 and runs toapproximately the bulge center thereof whence it= .merges with ahorizontal slotextension |20. The arrangement ofthe cam-slot is suchthat when the shaft 95 is rotated, the follower pin I I4 travels .theslot and controls the vertical disposition of:r the latch rod 95, thehorizontal portion I20'of the slot being of such length that the latchrod -95 lis rotated without vertical movement throughout an arc ofapproximately 90 degrees until the shoulder ||0 of the latch head hasswung around from the latching position-to nonlatching positionsufliciently to clear the shoulder 04 of the'strut whereupon the pinenters the diagonal Acam portion of the slot and the latch'rod is causedtoA depress gradually to its non-latchingr position as rotation thereofcontinues until the head |08 has been moved around approximately 1,80degrees land comes to rest on the supporting and bearing eye |02.Reverse rotation of the latch rod 95, of course, carries it backto thelatching position.

- In the latching position, the keeper springl II1 of the catch assemblyengages within a vertical groove |2| in the barrel II5. For this purposethe spring II1 is a bowed leaf Yspring having outwardly hooked lends |22engaging in respective holes |23 punched in side reinforcing flanges |24of the strut 91. At its mid point,the spring Ill is looped inwardly toprovide a keeperdetent |25 whichvengages in the Vgroove I2| of `thecatch barrel I'I5. As best seen in Fig. 11, the side of the detent loop-|25 which 'is engagedby the trailing side ofthe groove |2f| .uponrotation of the rod 95 toward open or non-latching position is formed ona cam arc as indicated at |21 so as to `facilitate carnming of thespring detent I25by a flexing ofthe spring to dislodge the detent |25from the groove.- The opposite side of the detent is preferablyformedrelatively ilat so as to provide a definite limitupon turning ofY theclamping rod into'the `latching position.

-Y'Ihe' catch spring-|11 is preferably relatively stii so as to assumestrong latch rod retaining engagement with the barrel I5, andthearrangementfistherefore preferably such as to facilitate the'ilexing` ofthe spring. Tothis end, the barrel I-|5^`ispreferably formed-as anYeccentric with the groove`|2| at the side toward which the barrelprotrudes farthest relative to the axis of the rod 95,"the barrel beingmaintained eccentrically'uponthe rod'by means ofthe pin |I4 extendingtransversely through the barrel and the rod as shown in Figs. 9 andv l0.In this manner thedetent portion |25 of the spring rides 4the peripheryof the barrel I5 as the barrel is lturned around'with the latch rod.When the rod is turned to the non-latching position, the barrel willassume the position substantially as shown in dash outline in Fig. 1l,with the major pro-- t'rudingportionY extending through a barrelclearance aperturel |20 in the body of the strut 91. In this positionthe spring ||1 will be relatively relaxed. When the latch rod 95 isturned back toward the latching position, the spring ||1 willbegradually placed under load or stress vas the `Al0 latch rod is movedupwardly by 4the cam slot ||9 Vand after the follower pin II4 reachesthe horizontal portion-|20 ofthe slot the barrel I I5 places the springunder increasing tension until maximum tension is attained wherein thekeeper loop |25of the spring snaps into the groove |2I and the 'latchingmovement of the rod is completed. Since the spring is placed undersubstantial resilient stress or load by this action, the latch rod isheld quite securely against'unintentional turning out of thelatchingpositionjthereof; "In order to clear the detent portion ofythespring through the cam plate II3, the" latter is preferably formedwith a horizontal slot |29. j

It will, of course, be understood that various details of constructionmay be varied through a Vwide range without departing from theprinciples of `this invention'and it is, therefore, notv the purpose tolimit the patent granted hereon Yotherwise than necessitated bythe'scope of the appended claims. r

I claim as my invention: f

l. In combination in a fender and fender shield assembly, the fenderhaving a wheel access opening and the fender shield being adaptedtoaiord an ornamental closure for said opening, the uppermargin of thefender shield being movable toward and away from the margindeiining'the1 wheel access opening in the fender as an incident tomounting and removal of the fender shield, and latching mechanismcarried by the fender shield and having a head engageable with saidfender margin for securing the fender shield in nal closing relation totheaccess opening, said' mechanism including a supporting structurecarried by the fender shield, a rotary and recip-` rocable latch rodsupported and guided by," saidl supporting structure, and a yieldablecatch device carried bysaid supporting structure-for holding' the latchrod inlatching position, said supporting structure having an Vupwardlyfacing rshoulderY spacedsubstantially below 'said' fender margin andsaid latch rod including a radially extending portion thereof below saidhead cooperating re'- leasably with said shoulder for holding the latch`rodl against dropping from latching position until releasedfrom saidcatch device and rotated out of engagement with the fender margin.

2. In combination in a fender and fender shield assembly, the fenderhaving a wheel access openingand the fender shield being a'daptedftoafford an ornamental closure for said opening, the upper margin of thefender shield being movable toward and away from the margin defining thewheel access opening in the fender as an,

incident to mounting and removal 'of thefender shield, Yand 'latchingmechanism carried by the fender shield and engageable with said fendermargin for securing the fender shield in final closing relation to theaccess opening, said mechanism ,including a supporting structurejjcarried by said supporting structure for holding" the latch rod inlatching position, said supporting structure and said latch rodincluding cooperating means for holding the latch rodag'ainst droppingvfrom latching position until'r'eleased from said catch device androtated out of en gagement with the fender. margin, saidv cooperat-4 ingdrop preventing means including a shoulder on the' latch rod and acooperating lshoulderon the supporting structure.

Y3. In combination in a fender and ffender;

`anornamental closure for said 'opgaining,A the u 55 per marjgiiiof the'fender shield beingmvapie 11Y .ehielglaemhly, the ienderihaving a wheelaccess Qpenlls and the. endenshieldbeingadaptedto aif rd anernamentaleiosure io,r.;.said opening, .meer margin Q.f.- the.1tender.shield .being @Whle @Ward and, away from the. margin .de- .nins.the wheeleeeees opening in. the fender n incident to iiiountn.Qi and.relnoyal of the ieflier .Shield and leiehine. mechanism Carried will@fender .Shield and .engeseable with. said Q99?? margin f9.1? Securingthe tendersheld. .in ,1a1919.1.g.re1ati.0n tof the accese. Opening. said.Iodine asupppriine-.stmeture carbY the .elleer Shield, a rotary, andrecipreble lieh red .errnorted and guided. by. said SUPP-,fiftieseirui'uee, and a. yieldable catch device wied by saisi SUPPOPiieg.Sirileiure for holding ilileilefehfrod; ifiletehins position, ,saidsupporting Silcfe" elis'd latch. 1105i. indagine.- .cooperate iiig'means'. feffioli'g ibexlaiellre.. .against drop.- gme frii1` latehlne.P0S1t9i1f1miiir-e1 said catch device and rotated out gi" with the fendermargin, said cooperating. means on the latch rod and the supportingstrirctnre eomprsinea @am el'otmember. 0.1.1 iheeupperting. stril'ctur'eand a pincarried by the latch rod.

i4, In combination in a fender anclfender shield assembly', the fenderhaving. a AWheel access4 openin'g and theifenderf shieldbein'g adaptedto afford an vornamental closure for saidv opening, the upper` margin of theiender' shield" beingV` movable toward and awayirqmthemargindefining the Wheel access opening'inthe'e'nder as an. inaident tomounting `and `removal"ff the fenden shield, and latching mechanismcarried'br thev `fender-shie1d and ngageablewithV said fender margin for'securing the. fender shield in n'al closing relation to theVY accessopening, said mechanism including .a supportingv structure car-V ried bythe fender' shield," arotari and'recip'.- roeable vlatch rod supportedand/.gided'by'vsaidsupporting structure`,"and ayelda'ble catch del' vice4for holding the latch 'rod in latchirg pos'itior'i,V said supportingstructure'and saidlath rod'infcluding cooperating means for holding'theVlatchV rod against dropping "from latching position til released fromsaid 'catch 'device and rotated. out of engagementfwth the fenderVmargin, said., catch device'comprising a spring` member 'carried by thesupporting structure and'engageablewith the latch rod andthe latch rodhaving an ecfz'cen-J tr'icprtion engageable v'vith'the.s'r'irir'iglmeinb` 5.f In combinationl in a'fender andfiender shield.assembly, the fender 'having a Wheel'accessop'n igfand' the fendershield being, adapted, to affordl tgnifairclY arid away frointh'e wheelaccess opening'in vthe, vferfide' as ...an in. aident .to mounting' 'and'reiiiovai of 'ine fe sriieidgarid ylaiciiing meehanismaigiejn fender.shield .and ngageable with saidfenden niar'gin for securing the'en'denshieldinnnal; closing "relation Vto Lthe access penin g, 1 saidmechanism including asupporting structure kcarri'ed by. the, fender.lshield; a rotary4 and rec/ip? rcable latch rod lsupported and"v guided.bysaid. supporting structure, Vand a yieldable catch. d vice for'holding lthe latchy regi in iaiciiiniig. posi.,7 tinfsaid sipportingvstructure and said. latch, rd ineludiriev edperetne .means .for holdingine. latchd rod against dropping from, latchng posi;- ticnluntilreleased ironrsaidA catch deviceand, rotated out. of engagement. withthe fendenman. gin, said catch device including. a. reciprpcable.yieldablyjbiased catch bar supportedbythesupably engagea/ble by thecatch bar. Y

6.. In combination in aender fandfendenshield assembly, the fender.'having a wheelaccessiopeningand the fendershieldbeingaadaptedtoi-#afield an Ornamental closureifory said. opening, ithesup.-per'margn. of theifender, slziieldbeingv movable toward .and .awayffroinlthe .margin .deningthe Wheel access opening in theiender as aident tomonntllandfremoval .oi-.theiender shield, and;v latchingemechanismcarried-by rthe fender shield. and-engageabe `.with v,said :ender margin.011 securing. they v.tender shield @nel closingrelation to. the accessopening; said mechanism including a .supporting structure can lied; bythepfe. dei; shield. a, riotariaand recipe @cable latehr 'supportedand-,guided by said .Supporting Si. reandzayieldah-le catcnsdence fethelding.. the latch rod .ini latchingenositioni saide suppJrtivIigstriitiiref all@ :.Sv tohiirgdsi-nr la .dmsgtheglatch t ,the upnerfee. ief havi eye stench empiece' nei-raten s1. ic. uniilithc rod; wayefromdier shield? Etching? in?? i EQlTiOiXOr-li resi feriali umiltentienelerlie ilalteiiasiiosief.

siiieislaiehma device -ecmnrisinesai with ithciircei sapore.

Saidistrutshoulder- 10- ,In combnationsiniaiiendereshield laiche..vnermeehanismfa fveritiealisirne harnaniinieee .mediateshoulder formationand a latchrod bearing structure, a g verticallyreciprocable and`rotatable latch rod guided by said bearing structure, said latch rodhaving ashoulder formation thereon arranged toY be disposedv inopposition tov the strut shoulder vinthe latching position of the rod tomaintain the rod against dropping out of latching position,. and a catchdevice for holding the rod against unintentional turning out of thelatching position, said catch device comprising a bar mounted forreciprocal action parallel to the rod, and having operative lengagementwith means atthe lower'end of the latch'rod.

l1. In combination in a fender shield latching mechanism, a supportingstructure, va vertically reciprocable and rotary latch rod having a headthereon for retaining engagement K'with a fender,means on saidsupporting structure below said head for bearingly guiding the latchrod, said supporting structure and 'said latch rod having opposing.shoulders located substantially below and independent of said headandadjacent to said bearing means cooperative to maintain the rodagainst unintentional dropping from latching position. Y

12. In combinationin a fender shield-latching mechanism, a supportingstructure, a vertically reciprocable and rotary latch rod having a headthereon for retaining engagement with a fender, means on said supportingstructure below said head for bearingly guiding the latch rod, saidsupporting structure and said latch rod having opposing shoulderslocated substantially below and independent of said head and adjacent tosaid bearing means cooperative to maintain the rod against unintentionaldropping from latching position, the shoulder on the latch rodcomprising an integral eccentrically bent portion of the rod.

13. In combination in a fender shield latching mechanism, a verticalstrut of generally U-shape cross section and having the upper portionthereof disposed obliquely, said upper portion having a slot therein, avertically reciprocable and rotary latch rod extending through said slotand having a head portion swingable into latching position in therotation of the rod, said head including an eccentric shoulder opposingsaid oblique portion of the strut in the latching position of the headto retain the rod against unintentional dropping out of latchingposition.

14. In combination in a fender shield latching mechanism, a rotary latchrod, a wrench base on said rod having an eccentrically disposed upwardlyopening notch therein, and a down biased catch bar operable parallel tothe rod and having the lower end thereof releasably engageable in saidnotch to hold the latch rod against unintentional turning.

15. In combination in a fender shield construction, a fender shieldpanel having upper and lower marginal inturned flanges, a latchmechanism strut having a foot flange turned outwardly, said foot flangebeing supported upon the lower flange of the fender shield, said strutextending upwardly throughout its major extent substantially verticallyand having and oblique upper portion extending to and engaging with theupper flange of the fender shield, said oblique portion having a slottherein opening through the juncture of the oblique portion with theprincipal portion of the strut, a rotary clamping member extendingvertically between the fender shield panel and the strut and having theupper portion thereof extending through said slot, and a bearingstructure on saidfstrut belowsaid slot rotfafbly engaging a'portion onsaid clampingmember and supporting said-clamping member.

16. Incombination in avfender shieldconstruction, a fender shieldpanel.4having ,upper and lower marginal Ainturned flanges, aglatchmech-av nismstrut havingv a foot flange turnedoutwardly, said foot flange beingsupported upon the'lower flange of the fender shield; said strutIextending upwardly throughout its major, extentusubstantially verticallyand having an ,obliquellppel 199.1.- tion extending to and engagingwiththeupper flange of the fender shield, said obliqueportion having aslot therein opening through 4the-juneture ofthesoblique portion withthe principal'po l tion of the strut, a rotary -clampingmembergextendingvertically betweenthefender shield panel Iand the strut and Vhaving theupper portionfthereof extendingthrough said slot, abearinggstructure onsaid strut below said slot rotatably engaging a portion on saidclamping/member, andgsupporting said clamping member,'and, meansvcarried by the strut below said bearing structure for yieldablymaintaining the clamping member in predetermined rotary clampingposition.

17. In combination in a latching mechanism for fender shields, Ia strut,a rotary 'and reciprocable latch rod supported by said strut, areciprocation guide plate supported by the strut and disposed inconcentric spaced relation aboutY a portion of the rod, said platehavingv a cam guide slot therein, a follower pin carried by the rod andengaging in said slot, a detent spring associated with said plate, andan eccentric grooved member carried by the rod and engageable with thedetent pin in the rotation of the rod to predetermined latching positionresponsive to interengagement of said pin and slot, the eccentric memberbeing arranged to place the detent spring under maximum detent stress asan incident to attainmentr of the latching position by the rod.

18. In combination, a ing upper and lower inturned marginal ilanges, theupper marginal flange being offset outwardly to a substantial extentrelative to the lower marginal flange, a sheet metal strut having alower flange carried upon said lower marginal fender shield panel flangeand having its upper end interengaged with said offset upper marginalflange, the major portion of the strut from its lower flange upwardlyextending substantially vertically normal to the plane of said lowerfender shield panel ilange, the upper portion of said strut extendingdiagonally upwardly toward the back of the fender shield paneland-providing an upwardly andinwardly facing shoulder portion, saidgenerally vertical portion of the strut having a horizontal eyeprojecting integrally therefrom, and a rotational and reciprocablelatching rod extending bearingly through said eye and through bearingapertures in the superimposed lower flanges of the strut and fendershield panel, said latching rod having an eccentric latching headthereon and means on the lower end thereof below the lower fender shieldpanel flange for effecting rotational and translational movement, saidlatching head having a shoulder portion thereon adjacent to the mainbody portion of the rod engageable in the released position of the rodwith the upper surface of said eye in a position wherein the upperextremity of the head clears the upper margin of the fender shieldpanel, said rod shoulder in the latching position of therod overlyingthe shoulder on the strut and the head extending fender shield panelhav-

